Survey Responses - William V. Hughes (R), County Council Candidate
What is your professional experience?
Attorney, Beasley & Gilkison LLP, 1972-2022
What is your public office experience?
running for re-election to a current position
If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.
Delaware County Council, District 2, 2023-present
What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?
Legal knowledge, finance experience as Board member MutualFirst Financial (1999-2020), community involvement
What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?
Maintain essential public services, insure fair and reasonable taxation, promote transparent government policies and proceedings.
How do your values motivate your run for office?
I felt I could contribute to the betterment of my community.
Key Issues
Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of
a. LGBTQ+ individuals?
While not directly within the province of the County Council, I support the County’s non discrimination policies.
b. people with disabilities?
I support funding for removal of barriers on County property which might prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully in local government services and programs.
c. people experiencing poverty?
All County offices and departments should be aware of challenges facing them and provide assistance where possible.
d. immigrants?
I do not know of any County programs directly serving the immigrant community, but most services are offered without regard to citizenship status.
e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?
While not directly within the province of the County Council, I support the County’s non discrimination policies
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access? (This might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)
The County Council supported the vote center plan for Delaware County. The Council does not have jurisdiction over election rules.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?
My more immediate concern is the instances in which our state government has made local decision making more difficult such as the adoption of SEA 1 in 2025. I have joined other Delaware County officials in communication our concerns to our legislators.
In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?
What we can do locally is to make sure that our public safety and law enforcement personnel receive rigorous training, that our courts are accessible for redress of grievances and that the legal community adheres to the highest ethical standards.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?
The Council supported the recent expansion of services provided by the Delaware County Health Department with participation in the state funding. The County has also established a mental health facility at the Justice and Rehabilitation Center.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address the affordability of
housing costs?
The Council partnered with a private developer to construct new housing units on South Cowan Road. The County Commissioners have adopted housing as a County priority.
food costs?
The County Council has no direct role in food or healthcare costs.
healthcare costs?
The County Council has no direct role in food or healthcare costs.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?
The County Council does not participate in the governance of public education.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?
The County Council does not participate in the governance of public education.
What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?
I cannot speak to Indiana’s priorities. The County has struggled with the balance between new energy sources and local property rights. The County Council does not have direct responsibility for decision making in this area.
What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?
The County Council adopted Rules of Procedure and a Code of Conduct. All Council meetings are live streamed as now required by state law. The Council also adheres to the Open Door and Access to Public Records Acts.